Panel works to formulate a subsistence amendment
JUNEAU (AP) -- A final solution on solving the state's subsistence dilemma could include changes to both state and federal law, said the head of a panel appointed by the governor to resolve the issue.

Two indicted on real estate fraud charges
ANCHORAGE (AP) -- A grand jury has indicted a real estate agent and a former mortgage company employee for allegedly falsifying documents to obtain a loan for a man who wanted to buy rental properties, a federal prosecutor said Tuesday.

Review team says UAF making progress
FAIRBANKS (AP) -- The chairman of the team reviewing operations at the University of Alaska Fairbanks says the campus is making progress toward recovering from the ''dark times in Alaskan education.''

Bonds adds another record
By hitting home run No. 73, Barry Bonds did more than just set a standard for future sluggers. He broke ol' Joe Bauman's record.

Seattle evens series with Tribe
SEATTLE -- Of the 117 wins the Seattle Mariners have amassed during their remarkable season, none meant nearly as much as No. 1 of the playoffs.

A's cut Yanks down to size
NEW YORK -- With Mark Mulder's presence on the mound, the Oakland Athletics showed the poise they lacked in their first playoff game at Yankee Stadium last year.

Three Americans win Nobel
STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Three Americans won the Nobel prize for economics Wednesday for research into how the control of information influences everything from used car sales to the recent boom and collapse in high-tech stocks.

Nordstrom reduces 3rd-quarter expectations
SEATTLE -- Citing the economic effects of the Sept. 11 attacks, Nordstrom Inc. on Tuesday markedly reduced its earnings expectations for the third quarter and said it had laid off about 900 more people than originally reported.

Miss Wilderness Alaska
There I was in the wilderness of Alaska fishing with a coworker Richard Tish along a small stream. We were working for H & R Drilling in Beluga and spending our free time before work fishing. After spending most of the past four years working on the platforms of Cook Inlet this job was a real treat for me. Our crew got off work at midnight and by the time we drove back to the Veco camp, ate, and showered it was usually about 1:30 am before we got to bed. I would get up at 6:30 am each morning and go fishing some place.

Voters turned out in large numbers to cast ballots and watch returns
There were two large election night gatherings in Kenai, one at Kenai Chrysler Center where a computer projected the returns on a giant 10' X 15' screen, and the other at the Old Town Restaurant in Kenai where incumbent Mayor John Williams hosted a party for the community. Both parties were well attended and as the results poured in there were some smiles, and some disappointments, as is the case in all elections.

Soldotna makes patriotism a family affair
Mayor David Carey of Soldotna had hoped to have some 200 of the 388 fire hydrants in the city painted to a colorful red, white, and blue by the time 3:00 PM Sunday afternoon September 30th rolled around. The time he had scheduled for a rather spontaneous remembrance celebration of the local men and women who serve in the Greater Soldotna Emergency Services area. However, when the Mayor stood before those who gathered at the Soldotna Senior Center, he was delighted to announce that all but a few dozen remained yet to be painted.

Women of the Peninsula to attend conference
The women of the Peninsula are planning to come together to change their world, according to organizers Janet Poppin and Trudy Andree of Soldotna. "Trudy and I had a vision for women coming together for some time of reflection, inspiration, biblical teaching and personal prayer," said Janet Poppin.

Chinooks return -- in a big way
MAUPIN, Ore. -- After a spring and summer of chasing salmon with boat, motor and gillnets, Harold Blackwolf was savoring being back on a wooden scaffold over churning water, fishing the way his ancestors fished in a place they have come since the beginning of time.

Cheechako's guide to Skyline Trail
I had to slide, stumble or trip at least 15 times on my second trek on the Skyline Trail before I felt that the trail was truly my own. Even though it was my second time on the trail, it was still a new experience. This time out, it had been raining, and I struggled against my natural instinct to stay inside where it was dry.

Artists' rely on nature in annual Kenai exhibit
The "Earth, Fire and Fibre XXIII" exhibit, open through Oct. 26 at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, offers viewers a chance to see the best of the best craft pieces being produced by Alaska artists in several mediums.

Do you have a midlife story to soothe the soul?
Do you have heart-warming, insightful and powerfully moving stories about midlife? It could be about anything that occurred from whatever age you feel is "middle age" -- somewhere above "youth" and below "old."

What's Happening
Best BetsEvents and ExhibitsEntertainmentUpcoming EventsDown the RoadAnchorage EventsFilms

'Sheila the Great' to visit Kenai
A musical production of Judy Blume's award-winning book, "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great," will be performed by the ArtsPower's National Touring Theater group of New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Kenai Central High School Auditorium.

Familiar foes face off in title game
There will be an air of familiarity Saturday when the Nikiski squares off with Seward in the Alaska School Activities Association small-schools football state championship.

Sabates speaks his mind
CONCORD, N.C. -- It took Felix Sabates awhile to get used to his newfound freedom of speech. But once he got the hang of it, he hasn't stopped talking. As a child in Cuba, Sabates was not allowed to speak his mind. Now that he's escaped Cuba to become a citizen of the United States, Sabates is not afraid to say what he thinks.

Johnson learning the ropes from car owner Gordon
Two weeks before his scheduled Winston Cup debut, Jimmie Johnson was called in for a meeting with the boss. For the next few hours, car owner Jeff Gordon explained the rigors of racing to Johnson, his hand-picked protege.

No Guard planned for Kenai airport
Kenai Municipal Airport will stand unguarded, even after an announcement Monday by Gov. Tony Knowles that more than 230 members of the Alaska Army and Air National Guard will provide increased security in 19 airports across the state.

Third anthrax case confirmed
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- A third employee of a supermarket tabloid publisher has tested positive for anthrax and the case has become the subject of a criminal investigation, authorities said Wednesday.

Restaurant fire prompts investigation
A predawn fire Wednesday destroyed the popular Pizza Pete's restaurant in Soldotna. No one was injured in the blaze, which investigators are calling suspicious.

Public brings ideas, suggestions
Many ideas came out of a town hall meeting Tuesday at the Soldotna Senior Citizens Center to solve the looming budget gap the state of Alaska faces.

Photo feature: On the move
A cargo ship passes Mount Redoubt as it makes its way south recently. The active volcano is one of four that is visible from the Cook Inlet shoreline.

Assembly contributes to CIRCAC projects
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly appropriated $250,000 for environmental monitoring, oil spill contingency plan reviews and other projects of an oversight group formed after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

'No place to run or hide'
WASHINGTON -- A month after the deadliest attack on America, President Bush said Thursday the government was

Robin Edward Rader
Homer resident Robin Edward Rader died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. He was riding his beloved, white-flamed Harley when a large, bull moose ran out in front of him. He was 51.

Oct. 10; The Boston Globe, on putting pressure on the IRA:
Once again the political institutions created by the Northern Ireland peace agreement are in crisis. The leading unionist party is threatening to pull out of the government, all the while blaming the Irish Republican Army and its political agent, the Sinn Fein party. It is time for the IRA to give the political process a fair chance by giving up the bulk of its weapons, especially the bomb-making Semtex explosive.

Unresolved issues related to private prison face Alaska
Kenai Peninsula residents made it clear earlier this month they were not interested in a private prison proposal. Nevertheless, discussion of the prison raised other issues that remain unresolved. Those issues should be addressed statewide before memories of what happened on the peninsula completely fade.

Why can't U.S. also drop food, medicine on Iraq?
Remarkably, some U.S. planes are dropping food and medicine for desperate people, while other U.S. planes are dropping bombs on the military facilities of their rulers. The bomb-'em-and-feed-'em strategy in Afghanistan may be a first.

Letters to the Editor
Private prison: A thoughtful, thankful look back on issueIf borough wants to expand powers, it needs to ask residents -- firstPipeline shooting, lack of patrols show Alaska risks terrorist attack18 is old enough to join military, but too young to buy cigarettes

Oct. 10; Arafat has chance to prove he prefers peace to terrorism
With Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon now saying his country will take a ''low-profile'' approach toward the United States-led fight against terrorism, attention shifts to Yasser Arafat. Events Monday showed dramatically that of all the worldwide leaders with a decision to make, he has the most important choice.

Oct. 10; The New York Times, on censorship on Pashto and Arabic news sources:
Since the end of the cold war, the Voice of America's radio programs have metamorphosed from government echo into real journalism. ... Surveys of men in Afghanistan last year showed that 67 percent listened to the V.O.A. every day. The need to maintain a credible alternative source of news for Muslims today makes the administration's efforts to censor the V.O.A. all the more objectionable. ...

Author finds writing book on 50 favorite climbs an uphill task
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The granite pinnacle on the east coast of Baffin Island that Conrad Anker free-climbed in memory of climbing pal Mugs Stump. The enormous rock face in the Canadian Rockies to which Mark Twight successfully applied his ''fast and light'' Alpine techniques. The Teton traverse that the late Alex Lowe completed in record time despite gouging a huge chunk of flesh out of his butt.

Chinooks return -- in a big way
MAUPIN, Ore. -- After a spring and summer of chasing salmon with boat, motor and gillnets, Harold Blackwolf was savoring being back on a wooden scaffold over churning water, fishing the way his ancestors fished in a place they have come since the beginning of time.

Cheechako's guide to Skyline Trail
I had to slide, stumble or trip at least 15 times on my second trek on the Skyline Trail before I felt that the trail was truly my own. Even though it was my second time on the trail, it was still a new experience. This time out, it had been raining, and I struggled against my natural instinct to stay inside where it was dry.

Around the Peninsula
Service planned today to remember victimsAllergy support group to meetKasilof history group meets tonightPublic health nurse to go to Ninilchik clinicFish and Game Advisory Committee to meetNikiski dinner, auction to benefit scholarship fundBazaar table space available

Bridging the ethnic gaps
MOSTAR, Bosnia-Herzego-vina -- Amid the rubble of Mostar's war-wrecked main square, Zoran Mandlbaum caresses the cornerstone for a new synagogue -- a temple of hope he prays will help reunite this ethnically divided city.

Soldotna couple gets Racial Justice Award
On Sept. 29, Dr. John and Sherry Kasukonis of Soldotna were recipients of the Racial Justice Award at the annual meeting of the United Methodist Women's Alaska Conference at Meier Lake.

Green Bay should top Baltimore
Yes, the Baltimore Ravens slipped up in Cincinnati. No, people don't expect them to slip up again, not even at Lambeau Field.

Basketball gets blast of fresh Air
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- When Michael Jordan caught the perfect alley-oop pass from teammate Courtney Alexander, just about everybody watching thought they knew what was coming.

Fusion open MLS semis with victory
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Preki's goal in the 53rd minute held up as the Miami Fusion defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Wednesday night in the opening game of their MLS semifinal playoff series.

Microsoft to broadcast NHL games
SEATTLE (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. will broadcast National Hockey League games through its Web site, part of a broader attempt to lure more users to its multimedia software.

Jordan's fine, Wizards stink
The news is not good. Not the news on Michael Jordan. He's going to be fine. In time. The Wizards are another story. Right now, they'd be lucky to beat the Washington Generals.

Winning streaks in trouble this weekend
Time for a winning-streak check.
A few bigtime streaks are in serious jeopardy this weekend, the most impressive being No. 14 Florida State's 10-year unbeaten run at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Islanders top New Jersey, move record to 4-0
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Mark Parrish scored three goals as the surprising New York Islanders became the second NHL team to ever open a season with four straight road wins, defeating the New Jersey Devils 6-4 on Thursday night.

Heavy Tyson ready to rumble
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -- Mike Tyson is the heaviest he's ever been for a fight. He also might be in the best shape.